Rifle sling with stabilizing loop for elbow

ABSTRACT

A rifle sling for steadying a rifle while shot includes a continuous, endless loop of fixed length and an adjustable-length strap interconnecting the continuous loop and the forestock of a rifle.

This invention relates to hand held weapons and slings for such weapons.

More particularly, the invention relates to a weapon-sling system to stabilize the elbow of an arm when firing a rifle.

Rifle slings for stabilizing the elbow of an individual while a rifle is fired are common.

One common type of sling includes a cuff portion that encircles the upper arm of an individual firing a rifle. This kind of sling is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The cuff sling is relatively complicated in construction and in connection with the adjustments utilized to mount the sling on the upper arm of an individual.

A second common sling requires an individual to wrap a length of the sling about the individual's arm. This kind of sling is illustrated in FIG. 3. This “wrap around” sling is somewhat difficult to control because it can tends to slip off the elbow of an individual.

Yet a third kind of conventional sling 10 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes ends 13 and 19, strap 14, straps 11 and 11A, and U-shaped strap 15. Each end of strap 15 includes a pair of spaced apart rivets 16 to 18. The head 17A of each rivet is shaped to slide through the larger end of a selected opening 12, 13 formed in a strap 11, 11A. The distance between each pair 17, 18 of rivets is about equal to the distance between an adjacent pair of openings 12, 13 formed through straps 11 and 11A. Once the head 17 passes through the larger end of opening 12 or 13, the strap 15 is pulled in the direction of arrow S (FIG. 5) to force the neck 17B of the rivet to seat in the smaller end of opening 12 or 13. When the sling of FIGS. 4 and 5 is utilized, the position of strap 15 along straps 11 and 11A must be adjusted to fit individuals of differing physical stature. This requires the removal from straps 11 and 11A of pins 16 to 18, and the reinsertion of pins 16 to 18 in appropriate openings along the length of straps 11 and 11A. This operation requires some time because some trial-and-error is often required before the correct location of strap 15 is ascertained. End 13 includes means (not visible) to secure end 13 to the forestock of a rifle. End 19 is secured to the butt of a rifle by passing end 19 through an eyelet on the butt, by folding end 19 back on itself, and by securing the pin 19A in one of the openings 14A in the same manner that pins 16 to 18 are secured in an opening 12, 13.

In use of the sling of FIGS. 4 and 5, end 13 is attached to the forestock of a rifle. End 19 is attached to the butt of a rifle. When an individual fires the rifle, the upper arm of the individual cradles in and is supported by strap 15.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved rifle sling that would be of simple construction, would be readily and quickly utilized, would be readily adjust to configure to individuals of differing stature, and would remain securely in position when utilized by an individual during the firing of a rifle.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved rifle sling to perform the dual function of carrying the rifle on the person and of steadying the rifle when the rifle is fired.

These and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the following detailed description thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is side view illustrating a cuff-type rifle sling known in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view illustrating another cuff-type rifle sling known in the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view illustrating a wrap-around type rifle sling known in the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating a split-strap type of rifle sling known in the prior art; and,

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view illustrating the mode of operation of the rifle sling of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a rifle sling constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention; and,

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the mode of operation of the sling of FIG. 6.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved rifle sling for an individual to carry a rifle and to assist in stabilizing an elbow of the individual and the rifle when the individual fires the rifle. The rifle includes a forestock and a butt. The sling comprises a loop having a fixed length and a forward portion and a rear portion; a first strap interconnecting the forestock of the rifle and the forward portion of the loop. The first strap has an adjustable length. A second strap interconnecting the butt of the rifle with the rear portion of the loop. The length of the first strap is adjustable such that when an individual fires the rifle, the individual can grasp the forestock with a hand of an arm, and at the same time pull the loop and the first strap taut with the individual's elbow.

Turning now the drawings, which depict the presently preferred embodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustration thereof, and not by way of limitation of the invention, and in which like characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 6 illustrates a sling constructed in accordance with the invention and including a continuous, endless loop 34 having a fixed length and a forward portion 40 and a rear portion 41. One end 32 of strap 30 is connected to sleeve 33 that encircles and slides along the rear portion 41 of loop 34. The other end 31 of strap 30 is connected to the butt 23 of rifle 20. Strap 35 extends from end 39 through buckle 36, through eyelet 21 on the forestock 22 of rifle 20, back through buckle 36, and to end 39. End 37 is connected to the forward portion 40 of loop 34. Adjustable strap 35 permits ready adjustment of the distance from forestock 22 of the forward portion 40 of loop 34. This permits the sling of the invention to be quickly adjusted to fit individuals of differing statures, arms lengths, etc. Loop 34 can, if desired, be constructed to be adjustable, but it is presently preferred that the length of loop 34 be fixed, in part because strap 35 permits ready fitting and adjustment of the sling to individuals of differing size.

Sleeve 33 can be affixed to loop 34 in fixed position. It is, however, preferred in the practice of the invention to permit sleeve 33 to slide or otherwise be configured to move along loop 34 so that sleeve 33 may be in a first position on rear portion 41 when the rifle is being carried with the sling extending over a should of an individual in conventional fashion, and, may be in a second position (different from said first position on portion) on portion 41 when the rifle is being fired in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7. End 37 of strap 35 can be configured as a sleeve comparable to sleeve 33 such that end 37 can slide along loop 34.

In FIG. 7 one hand 52 of an individual is positioned behind eyelet 21 on the forestock 22 (i.e., in front of the butt 23) of rifle 20, while the elbow and/or upper arm 51 is nestled and seated in loop 34. Elbow 51 draws strap 35 and loop 34 taut to steady rifle 20. As used herein, the term rifle also includes shotguns. 

1. A rifle sling for an individual to carry a rifle and to assist in stabilizing an elbow of the individual and the rifle when the individual fires the rifle, the rifle including a forestock and a butt, the sling comprising (a) a continuous, endless loop having a fixed length and a forward portion and a rear portion; (b) a first strap interconnecting the forestock of the rifle and said forward portion of said loop, said strap having an adjustable length; (c) a second strap interconnecting the butt of the rifle with the rear portion of the loop; the length of said first strap being adjustable such that when an individual fires the rifle, the individual can grasp the forestock with a hand of an arm, and at the same time pull said loop and said first strap taut with the individual's elbow. 